GOP Reps targeted as fiscal cliff approaches

A progressive coalition that includes Citizen Action, Strong Economy For All and other state groups is targeting New York Republican Congressmen Pete King, Tom Reed, Richard Hanna and Michael Grimm — the members of the state delegation who will be returning to the House in 2013.

The online campaign seeks to remind the members that “99% of my constituents are not wealthy,” and therefore unlikely to oppose the end of the Bush-era tax cuts for top earners. The images are being distributed via Twitter and Facebook.

Gibson has not said whether he would vote for an end to those cuts. He initially voted in favor of Rep. Paul Ryan’s austerity budget, but more recently backed a bipartisan compromise that hews closer to the recommendations of the Simpson-Bowles plan. Gibson also refused to re-up on Grover Norquist’s taxpayer protection pledge.

Not yet targeted by this campaign: departing GOP members Nan Hayworth, Ann Marie Buerkle and Bob Turner — though that’s in the works. “The message for the lame ducks will probably be different, in terms of leaving a legacy,” said Raymond Rodriguez of BerlinRosen Public Affairs.